What is a desert mouse called? - briefly
The species is Peromyscus eremicus, commonly referred to as the cactus mouse. It lives in arid habitats across North America.
What is a desert mouse called? - in detail
The small rodent that inhabits arid regions of North America is commonly known as the cactus mouse (Peromyscus truei). It belongs to the family Cricetidae and the genus Peromyscus, which includes many deer‑mouse relatives. In the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, the cactus mouse is the species most frequently identified as the “desert mouse.”
Key characteristics:
- Size: Head‑body length 8–10 cm; tail length similar to the body; weight 12–20 g.
- Fur: Light brown to gray dorsal pelage with a faint dorsal stripe; white underparts.
- Adaptations: Efficient water conservation, nocturnal activity to avoid daytime heat, and the ability to obtain moisture from seeds and insects.
Habitat preferences:
- Rocky scrub, cactus thickets, and creosote‑bush deserts.
- Often found near desert washes where vegetation is denser.
Diet consists of seeds, plant material, and occasional arthropods. Reproduction peaks after summer rains; litters average three to five pups, with a gestation period of about 23 days.
Another desert‑dwelling species sometimes referred to by the same colloquial term is the spiny pocket mouse (Chaetodipus spinatus). It shares a similar range but differs in having spiny dorsal hair and a distinct cheek‑pouch system for seed storage.
Both species illustrate the specialized morphology and behavior that enable small mammals to thrive in extreme, water‑limited environments.